Man United win, Gunners still on top

David Moyes

Manchester United battled back for a 3-2 victory against Stoke to avoid seeing their season go from bad to worse, while Luis Suarez scored a brilliant hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed West Brom 4-1 to keep on the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

Having fallen 11 points adrift of top spot following Arsenal’s 2-0 victory in Saturday’s early game against Crystal Palace, United could ill afford another off-day against a Stoke side without a win in their last five league games.

However, David Moyes’ men, who have already lost three times in the league this season, suffered a nightmare start as Peter Crouch’s close-range finish put the visitors ahead after just four minutes.

Robin van Persie drew the teams level in the 43rd minute, but Stoke stunned the home side again by reclaiming the lead on the stroke of half-time through Marko Arnautovic’s fine free-kick.

Two goals in the final 12 minutes from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez saved United’s blushes though as they come from behind to win.

Suarez scored twice in the opening 17 minutes and then completed the fourth hat-trick of his Anfield career 10 minutes into the second half as the Uruguayan continued his rich goalscoring form since returning to the Liverpool side.

West Brom pulled a goal back through James Morrison’s penalty but Suarez’s strike partner Daniel Sturridge chipped home a brilliant goal to wrap up the scoring 14 minutes from time.

Earlier on, Arsenal beat managerless Palace despite playing the final 25 minutes with a man less following Mikel Arteta’s sending off.

Arteta put the leaders ahead from the penalty spot at the start of the second half but the Gunners captain was then handed his marching orders.

Referee Chris Foy deemed the Spaniard had prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity when he tangled with former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh some 35 yards out from goal and showed him a straight red card.

Palace, for whom Keith Millen was in caretaker charge following Ian Holloway’s departure this week, came close to getting back into the game but could find no way past Wojciech Szczesny and a late second from Olivier Giroud sealed the win for Arsenal.

Everton were also 2-0 victors in their match at Aston Villa with Romelu Lukaku and Leon Osman scoring second-half goals for the Toffees.